Costa Rica v Germany: All to play for after shock results
Costa Rica v Germany betting tips, predictions and odds
Germany are living dangerously but should still reach the knockout stage of World Cup 2022 if all goes to plan in the final round of Group E matches.
Assuming Japan lose to Spain, victory over Costa Rica will see Germany claim second place in the group while a win by two goals will suffice if Japan manage a draw.
Thursday’s match at the Al Bayt Stadium kicks off at 7pm and is live on ITV.
Germany confidence growing
Germany suffered an early World Cup elimination four years ago and a repeat remains a possibility in Qatar.
A surprise defeat to Japan threw the group wide open and Germany also went behind to Spain before substitute Niclas Fullkrug grabbed an 83rd-minute equaliser.
It was no less than Germany deserved and they will look to take confidence from that result into their final group game.
Spain are on 🔝 of Group E. Which two sides will advance?#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 27, 2022
Coach Hansi Flick said: “We knew what it was all about and what was at stake.
“Things start to develop when you start to win, so maybe this will give us a boost to have the self-confidence to strike goals.
“We know that this was just the first step and in the next match against Costa Rica we want to create the conditions so we can go through to the round of 16.
“What is important to me is the mentality is there, they showed what they can do on the pitch.”
Germany winning odds of 1/9 show they are clear favourites to get the win they need, while they are 1/4 in the Group E betting to progress.
Costa Rica ‘still alive’
Germany only have any hope of progressing thanks to Costa Rica beating Japan but are unlikely to show any gratitude here.
Keysher Fuller’s late strike secured a 1-0 victory over Japan on Sunday and was the perfect response to the 7-0 drubbing by Spain.
Costa Rica coach Luis Fernando Suarez said: “We are still alive. We weren’t dead yesterday and now we are very much in this, alive still.
“We have to think about the next match on Thursday, which will obviously be just as tough as today’s game.
“We will have to apply the same pressure as in the past two games, but we are alive, that’s the main thing.”
Against all odds, Costa Rica take the lead!!
It's taken 170 minutes of World Cup action but the Central Americans have finally scored with their first shot on target! 🙌🇨🇷
What a response following their last game against Spain… 🤩#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/OIJ01cpNeL
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 27, 2022
Although that was an impressive result which has left Costa Rica’s destiny in their own hands, it is hard to forget how bad they were against top-quality opposition in Spain.
Costa Rica are the 8/1 outsiders to qualify from Group E and are 20/1 to cause another World Cup upset by beating Germany.
An ageing team was no match for Spain and they are 8/11 to again lose without scoring in the Costa Rica v Germany odds.
Germany ready to dominate
If Germany can click into gear with so much on the line then this could prove to be another one-sided contest.
In the last 15 months Germany have thrashed Armenia 6-0 and 4-1, Liechtenstein 9-0, Iceland 4-0 and Italy 5-2.
They even put three goals past England at Wembley, even though it was only enough for a 3-3 draw, so they have the firepower to be more ruthless than they have shown so far in Qatar.
For our Costa Rica v Germany betting tips, the favourites to win both halves, score at least three goals and keep a clean sheet looks a solid pick at 7/4 in Coral’s #YourCall markets.
Other options at bigger World Cup betting odds include Germany to be leading after 15 minutes at 9/4 while a 4-0 win is 7/1.
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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication
